Rakhmonov beats Garry by decision in No. 1 contender bout

LAS VEGAS - In a battle of undefeated welterweights, Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) in the UFC 310 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

Garry suffered his first loss in 16 professional fights. Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in 19 pro bouts.

Rakhmonov will challenge Belal Muhammad for the 170-pound title next. He was scheduled to face Muhammad at Saturday's event, but Muhammad withdrew due to an infection and was replaced by Garry on three weeks' notice.

UFC CEO Dana White billed Rakhmonov-Garry as a No. 1 contender bout going in. Muhammad and Rakhmonov squared off in the Octagon after the fight:

All three judges gave Rakhmonov the first, second and fourth rounds, while Garry won the third and fifth.

It was a grueling fight from start to finish, with Rakhmonov taking an early lead by clinching Garry against the fence. Garry had more volume on the feet than Rakhmonov in the third, landing solid kicks and jabs. Rakhmonov finally secured his first takedown in the fourth and controlled Garry throughout the round.

Garry needed a finish in the fifth to win the fight, and he nearly pulled it off: He took Rakhmonov's back 40 seconds into the round and wrapped up a rear-naked choke that appeared to be tight. Rakhmonov eventually escaped the submission and got on top of Garry, where he spent the next few moments. The fight ended after a brief exchange on the feet.

With the victory, Rakhmonov is now 7-0 in the UFC. The 30-year-old Kazakh fighter hadn't stepped into the Octagon since submitting Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson in December 2023.

Garry falls to 8-1 in the promotion with the defeat. The 27-year-old Irishman was scheduled to face Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Tampa main event next weekend before agreeing to step in against Rakhmonov. Garry will finish his 2024 campaign with a 2-1 record.